CHAPTER 7: When the Police Came Back

The police arrived again, but this time Maria was not the one standing near the door. The officers watched the monitor footage, took the device, and listened as Mr. Hayes explained the recording system.
Eleanor handed over the security codes with shaking fingers.
Ryan kept insisting it was a misunderstanding until one officer asked why a pawnshop receipt had been found in his car earlier that week. His silence answered before his mouth did.
When they led him out, Grace hid her face in Maria's apron. Maria kept her arms around the child and looked away. She took no pleasure in his downfall. Relief, yes. Anger, yes. But not pleasure.
Eleanor stood near the staircase. The chandelier light made her look pale. When the door closed behind Ryan, she turned to Maria.
"I do not know how to repair this."
Maria touched her cheek, then lowered her hand. "You cannot undo it. You can decide what kind of house this becomes after tonight."
Eleanor nodded once, the answer entering her like a sentence.